PRESS RELEASE
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has watched with keen interest and consternation the feud between the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru over alleged approved contracts of 25 billion dollars without the Board approval and other issues bordering on insubordination, appointments etc, and if not checked, will adversely affect the progress and development so far made in the Oil and Gas sector.
The Union is worried about the bad image internationally the alleged actions have given us, especially in the media.
NUPENG stated that Nigerians are watching and it is therefore important that the issue should not be swept under the carpet in view of the Buhari’s administrations fight against corruption and following due process.
The Union advises Mr. President Muhammadu Buhari not to treat the allegations with levity but with utmost good faith because the world is watching and waiting.
It stated that due process must be followed in the discharge of contractual agreements and those involving JVC’s agreements. NUPENG recalled that the challenges facing the NNPC are replete with bad history of mismanagement with that of Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke still fresh in our minds.
The Union however appreciated the steps taken so far in the JVC cash calls to the International Oil Companies (IOC) to stabilize the operations in the sector and the re-opening of moribund depots which has enhanced products delivery across the country, but that the current allegations must be addressed by the administration as one of its cardinal principle is the promotion of transparency and accountability.
Our expectation is to see us as a hydrocarbon nation, to stop importation of petroleum products and to make our refineries work optimally so as to boast our foreign exchange earnings. Our NNPC 21 depots should be made to come back on stream and our pipelines secured with new trunk lines built across the country. We believe this can create economic stability and can only be achieved where the Minister of Petroleum, Mr. President, Minister of State, Petroleum Resources and the GMD of NNPC are working in synergy
However, NUPENG reiterates that both Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and Dr. Maikanti Baru have done well in re-positioning the Oil and Gas industry and the infighting will only retard the gains made so far.
We therefore call on President Muhammed Buhari to resolve the issues by moving in swiftly to address whatever is causing the ill-affection that has made them to work at cross-purposes in order not to jeopardize the reforms in the Oil and Gas industry.
Com. (Dr.) Igwe Achese Com. Joseph Ogbebor
President General Secretary
